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UFC FN 31: Yves Edwards Plans to “Figure Out” Who Yancy Medeiros Is

Yves Edwards has fought in over 60 pro bouts, and has been fighting since 1997, but the veteran admits he has an interesting challenge in front of him at “Fight for the Troops III.” The reason being that he’s not too sure on what to make of his opponent Yancy Medeiros, who has fought just once in over three years. That fight, which took place versus Rustam Khabilov at UFC 159 in April, was stopped in less than three minutes after Medeiros dislocated his thumb.

“A guy like Yancy, it’s really weird fighting a guy like that because you know the guy’s good; the guy’s 9-1 for a reason, and the one is due to injury,” Edwards said while appearing on Full Contact Fighter Radio recently. “At the same time, most of his fights were at 185, and that was a big three year layoff, so it’s weird, because you don’t really know who that guy is.”

“He looked good in the little bit of the fight he had with Khabilov, but you still didn’t really get to see who he was,” added Edwards. “So I’m going to have to figure that out.”

Prior to his UFC debut earlier this year, Medeiros went 2-0 fighting for Strikeforce, by defeating Raul Castillo via decision and knocking out Gareth Joseph. But as Edwards noted, those bouts took place back in 2010, and before that, Medeiros fought exclusively in Hawaii.

“Human nature is to bring things from your past to the present, so there’s definitely some things he’s going to do,” said Edwards, while discussing whether he’s been able to take anything away from “Frisson’s” earlier bouts. “Maybe some tendencies that he still has.”

“So you want to look at those things and kind of see who the guy is, compare the old fights to the little bit you got to of him in his first fight in the UFC,” added Edwards. “Just don’t count on it. You know what I mean? You want to see it, so you’re not surprised, but don’t count on that being the case.”

Edwards (left)

Edwards, meanwhile, has fought in the UFC seven times during that same stretch, and there’s certainly no shortage of footage documenting the veteran’s 15 plus year career.

“He’s got tons of tape on me and he knows exactly who I am,” Edwards said. “So I can’t let him try to affect anything early, while I’m still trying to figure him out.”

Wednesday’s bout is a big one for the 37 year-old vet, as for the first time in 2008, Edwards is coming off consecutive losses. Although both of his recent defeats were via split decision to Isaac Vallie-Flagg and Daron Cruickshank, a third straight loss would leave Edward’s UFC future in doubt.

“I feel like every fight’s a must win situation you know?” Said Edwards, when asked if he’s feeling any extra pressure as a result of the losses. “As far as my last fights, and how they affect this one, it’s irrelevant. At least to me. That’s above my paygrade. That’s something I don’t make decisions on, so I can’t concern myself with that. My job is to go out there and get my hand raised in the end and that’s all I’m concerned with.”

“The fight’s in the past. That’s where they are; they’re in the past,” furthered Edwards, who before the defeats, KO’d Jeremy Stephens at UFC on FOX 5 last December. “I’ve learned from them, and I’ve tried to better myself because of them, even the wins.”

“Fight for the Troops III” will be hosted by Kentucky’s Fort Campbell and will be broadcast in the U.S. on FOX Sports 1.